OACES Newsletter for March 30, 2023 |
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Upcoming OACES Meetings:
- Eastern Oregon Road Officials Meeting, April 1
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OACES Spring Conference - Mt. Hood Oregon Resort, Welches, May 22-24 [Register Here]
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OACES Hosts 2023 Chip Seal Conference |
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The Oregon Association of County Engineers and Surveyors (OACES) hosted its fifth Chip Seal Conference in Hood River, March 21 and 22. More than 100 road officials, public works staff, and vendors traveled from around the state, as well as Washington and Idaho, to learn about the latest products and technology, and share best practices and ideas regarding chip sealing.
The two-day event covered a number of topics related to chip sealing, including emulsions, oil types, oil rock production, and operating the chip sealer itself. We would like to thank all of our members and sponsors for helping to make this year's conference a success.
OACES hosts chip seal conferences approximately every three years, with previous conferences held in 2011, 2013, 2016, and 2019. To view photos from this year's conference, click [HERE]. You can learn more about future OACES conferences [HERE].
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Legislative Update: First Chamber Work Session Posted Deadline |
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The Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) and OACES have been busy providing testimony and participating in workgroups to inform the Legislature and build consensus for county priorities at the Capitol in Salem, including:
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HB 2101: Codifying the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) Program Fund Exchange Program
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SB 635: County Right of Way Permit Cost Recovery
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HB 3556: Abandoned Recreational Vehicle Disposal Program
The first chamber work session posted deadline was reached on March 17. Any bills not scheduled for a work session by the deadline were effectively defeated. With the first chamber committee passage deadline looming on April 4, things have been evolving at a breakneck pace as lawmakers struggle to negotiate priorities, policy fixes, and reach compromise. The Joint Committee on Transportation, where most OACES priority bills are assigned, only needs to schedule bills by the second chamber work session posting and passage deadlines on May 5 and 19. ...[Read More]
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Oregon Transportation Plan (OTP) [DRAFT] - Available for Public Review, Comment Through May 12 |
Review and comment on the draft OTP! The draft plan is available for your review and comment now through May 12. Comments will be accepted through the comment form or via email.
View the fact sheet: The Oregon Department of Transportation's (ODOT) project fact sheet is available to download/print. It's a handy reference highlighting the plan's key takeaways, how the updated plan will shape transportation in Oregon, how you can review and comment on the draft plan, and what's next. ...[Read More]
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New Oregon Transportation Emissions Website |
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Greenhouse gas emissions are a key contributor to human-influenced climate change. In Oregon, greenhouse gas emissions from transportation are about 35 percent of total emissions and represent the largest sector of emissions.
In response, the Oregon Departments of transportation, energy, environmental quality, and land conservation and development are working together to reduce emissions from transportation to 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.
ODOT created a new website, and will regularly update it to report on Oregon's progress to reduce transportation emissions. ...[Read More]
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2024-2027 STIP Available for Public Comment |
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Curious about what projects ODOT is proposing for 2024 though 2027?
In ODOT's online open house, you can:
- Learn about the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP).
- See what projects ODOT is proposing in each county using our interactive map.
- Check out fact sheets for 49 or our highlighted proposed projects throughout the state.
- Ask questions and share your thoughts using our comment form.
ODOT's goal for this open house is to see if you support or have concerns about the proposed projects. ...[Read More]
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USDOT Announces Upcoming Funding Opportunities |
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Current open Notice for Funding Opportunities (NOFO) include:
Technical Assistance Resources:
Please contact AOC County Road Program Director Brian Worley with any questions about USDOT grant funding opportunities.
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The Transportation and Growth Management (TGM) Program helps local jurisdictions plan for streets and land to lead to more livable, sustainable, and economically vital communities. This planning increases opportunities for transit, walking, and bicycling.
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Category 1: Transportation System Planning, to give Oregonians a range of transportation choices and meet requirements of the Oregon transportation planning rules.
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Category 2: Integrated Land Use and Transportation Planning, to promote communities that meet the needs of all Oregonians to live, work, and move about.
Please contact AOC County Road Program Director Brian Worley with any questions about TGM grant funding opportunities.
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Diesel Emissions Mitigation Grants |
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The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is providing approximately $8 million in grant funding every year for five years, starting in 2021. Revenue for this program is provided by the Environmental Mitigation Trust Fund, subject to the settlement agreement between the United States and Volkswagen Group of America, INC.
In 2019, the Oregon Legislature authorized the creation of a grant program supporting businesses, governments and equipment owners in replacing older and more polluting diesel engines with new, cleaner technologies and exhaust control retrofits. These grants will be disbursed to awardees as a reimbursement of eligible project costs incurred during the project period. More details can be found [HERE].
Please contact AOC County Road Program Director Brian Worley with any questions.
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Funding Available for Transportation Projects Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions |
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The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has announced funding for projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These funds are available through an ODOT-managed competitive grant program, with federal funds coming from the new federal Carbon Reduction Program.
Oregon will be receiving $82 million over five years, with $13 million available in 2023 for “small urban and rural” projects. Eligible projects must reduce emissions from transportation and be in urban and rural areas of the state with a population of less than 200,000. Examples of eligible projects include public transit, bike infrastructure improvements, low-emission vehicles or fuels, and intelligent transportation systems. Eligible applicants include cities, counties, tribal governments, and local and state transportation agencies. More details are available [HERE]. The application window runs from Feb. 28 to May 31.
Please contact AOC County Road Program Director Brian Worley with any questions.
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Join NACE 2023 in Orange Beach, AL, April 16-19
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Join your colleagues nationwide at the National Association of County Engineers (NACE) Conference and Annual Meeting in Orange Beach, Alabama, on April 16-19! [Register HERE].
OACES hopes to have a strong Oregon delegation attending NACE this year. If you or your county need financial support to attend you are encouraged to apply or nominate fellow OACES members for the Education & Leadership Scholarship Program.
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Value Capture Strategies: Transportation Utility Fees/Roadway Maintenance Fees - The Primer |
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Spaces are still available for the FHWA’s upcoming Value Capture Strategies: Transportation Utility Fees/Roadway Maintenance Fees -The Primer national webinar April 5 at 10 a.m. PST. To reserve your space, register today.
Developer Impact Fees (DIF), also known as Street Impact Fees, Transportation Impact Fees, Mobility Fees, or System Development Charges, are one-time fees assessed by local governments on developers to offset the costs of new or expanded infrastructure.
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Oregon Bridge Maintenance Workshop, April 11-13 |
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ODOT is hosting the Oregon Bridge Maintenance Workshop on Tuesday, April 11, through Thursday, April 13, at the Linn County Fair & Expo Center in Albany, Ore.
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2023 Forth EV Roadmap Conference Program, May 15-17 |
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Save the date for Monday, May 15-17, in Portland, for the nation's premier electric transportation conference, where leaders convene to transform how people and goods move.
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2023 PNW SnowFighters Conference, June 6-7 |
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The 2023 Pacific NW SnowFighters (PNS) Conference in Portland this year, June 6–7. The PNS is a nonprofit organization that focuses on bringing winter maintenance conferences to the Pacific Northwest.
More than 350 transportation maintenance professionals from around the Pacific Northwest are expected to attend, including city, county, and DOTs from Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Colorado, and Montana. More conference info can be found [HERE], registration is now open.
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County Engineering, Road Department, and Surveyor Jobs
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The AOC job posting page provides counties and other government organizations with a method to advertise job opportunities while also providing a resource for job seekers looking for a new challenge.
Current engineering, road department, and surveyor postings include:
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Jackson County is Hiring Engineers! |
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Jackson County Roads, Engineering Division is recruiting for several engineering positions, including:
- Engineering Associate I, Engineering Associate II, or Engineering Technician III.
- Construction Manager, Construction Engineer
- County Engineer
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County Road Program Director
Legislative Director
Transportation Policy Analyst
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Senior Administrative Manager
IT Trainer and Communications Specialist
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